Al-Risala (English), March-April 2001

Thus, the option one has to take is not between the universe without God and the universe with God. Rather, the option actually is between the universe with God or no universe at all. Since we cannot, for obvious reasons, opt for the latter proposition, we are, in fact, left with no other option except the former, that is, the universe with God. In view of the recent advancement in scientific reasoning, a true faith has proved to be as rational as any other scientific theory. Reason and faith are now standing on the same ground. In fact, no one can legitimately reject faith as something irrational, unless one is ready to reject the rationality of scientific theories as well. For, all the modern scientific theories are accepted as proven on the basis of the same rational criterion by which a matter of faith would be equally proved true. After the river of knowledge has reached this advanced stage, there has remained no logical difference between the two. □ The Book of Guidance Read in the name of your Lord who created—created man from clots of congealed blood. Read! Your Lord is the Most Bountiful One, Who by the pen, taught man what he did not know. Indeed, man transgresses in thinking himself selfsufficient. For to your Lord all things return. (96:1-8) T hese verses of the Quran were the first to be revealed to the Prophet Muhammad. They tell us what God’s purpose was in choosing this particular way of sending His revelations through His messengers, namely, to inform man